Strong Willed

Our middle child, Catherine, is strong-willed, to say the least. She comes by it honorably. And we are working hard to learn how to handle her outbursts and help her to control herself. Other days she is very compliant and obedient and we don't have to worry about anything.

She gets her mind set on something, anything really, and when she doesn't get her way you better stay out of the way. Today was one of those days. I struggled all day long with Catherine and her desire for her will to be done.

I was reading tonight about Psalm 37:4 which says, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." I see people misuse this verse A LOT! Just because we desire something does not mean we will get it, even though many people think that it does. The problem is that they forget about the first part of the verse. We have to "take delight in The Lord" first. When we delight in The Lord, we begin to desire what he desires. God's desires do not change, ours do!

Catherine has her mind made up and has her heart set on things. The problem is that sometimes her desires are not the same as what is best for her or for our family. She does not think about anyone but herself (granted, she just turned five and that is typical).

I know Psalm 37:4. I know that I must delight in The Lord first, but I still forget that sometimes and try to bend God's will into my own instead of the other way around. Catherine is my regular reminder that I need to focus on letting God mold me into what He desires for me and that I will then receive my desires because they will line up perfectly with his!